7th District hopefuls offer jobs solutions

The four major candidates for the Democratic nomination put that issue atop their list of concerns. That's music to local business leaders who spend an inordinate amount of time trying to replace lost jobs.

The public is engaged, too. An Indianapolis Star/WTHR poll showed Hoosiers care far more about job creation than anything else. So, as the primary nears, which Democrat has the best combination of business savvy and a plan to address job woes?

From a pure business perspective, Woody Myers tops the list. The first thing that catches the eye of local businesspeople is his campaign. Even though he's a first-time candidate, the campaign is operating like a well-oiled machine.

It better. With a master's degree in business administration from Stanford University and experience as an executive in two Fortune 500 companies, Myers has more top-level management experience than any other candidate. He's a medical doctor, too, who has served in public health positions for both Republican and Democrat administrations.

Myers is wealthy as a result, and critics note he has spent nearly $1.3 million of his own money on the race to this point.

"I will do everything I can that will bring midsized companies to the center of town," Myers said. "It's great that Boone and Hendricks counties get these plants, but we need more of these businesses, too."

Carolene Mays and David Orentlicher are next. Both are leaving the General Assembly to run for Congress and are well-known to the business community.

Mays runs the Indianapolis Recorder, a business with 25 employees. She wants to pump more federal money into the pipeline for small business and worker retraining. "The tax structure should change to provide more incentive for companies that remain in the U.S.," Mays said. "We have not done that well."

Orentlicher, a doctor and lawyer who teaches at Indiana University's medical and law schools, has the most extensive plans for business. Foremost, he would restore research funding to boost the region's life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

"We need to grow the pie," Orentlicher said. "Indiana will do well because studies have shown that we have all the elements to succeed in bioscience."

Andre Carson, who won a special election for the seat last month, has the least business experience. He spent most of his career working with the Indiana Excise Police. Many in business here met Carson when he was appointed to a City-County Council seat last year.

Carson, grandson of the late Congresswoman Julia Carson, did not respond to telephone messages seeking comment.

The question remains: Will his famous name be enough to overcome the other candidates' business savvy?

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7th District hopefuls offer jobs solutions

Job creation is Job One in the 7th Congressional District. The four major candidates for the Democratic nomination put that issue atop their list of concerns. That's music to local business leaders